Six of the best high street jeans

I love jeans, we all know that. I love expensive designer jeans, but I also love good-value high street jeans. I’m actually covering more than the usual six-of-the-best here because I’ve added lots of your suggestions as well as the ones I recommend. Some of us love a wide leg, some of us never veer away from straight fits and some of us (hello, me) will try most shapes and can never have enough of them. But I know that buying jeans can be tricky, and as much as I can give some sizing advice, the fact is that everyone’s shape is different, so you may need to kiss quite a few denim frogs before you find your prince.

I get a lot of questions about sizing. Jeans are usually done by waist measurement, so it’s best to know yours before you start. Sorry if this is a bit ‘teaching Grandma to suck eggs’, but here’s how you find your waist size. Use a flexible measuring tape with your feet slightly apart, place the tape above your belly button at the smallest part of your waist. Relax your stomach and wrap the tape around your waist. Make sure to keep the tape snug, but not tight.

For the most accurate measurements, the measuring tape needs to make contact with your skin. There shouldn’t be any clothing in the way. If you don’t have a flexible measuring tape, you can use some string and then measure the length against a ruler.

Now that we have covered that, let’s dive straight in. We’ve got a lot to get through…

ABERCROMBIE BARREL JEANS

I always recommend Abercrombie for people who fall into the ‘but I can never find jeans to fit me’ camp. This is because they have such a wide variety of styles, all of which come in a multitude of sizes and leg lengths. My new go-to pair is their barrel jeans. If you’re looking to dip a toe into this trend, these are not too exaggerated and the fit is great. Take your regular waist size. Other barrel-leg-style jeans that come highly recommended by you, the readers, are the M&S carrot jeans (but if you’re 5’7 to 5’8, you might fall in-between lengths; I tried them and the regular were too short but the long were too long). You also tell me good things about the Tu version, and I still favour the Whistles ones (size up) and the Free People Good Luck jeans (size down).

LEVIS RIBCAGE STRAIGHT ANKLE JEANS

If you just want a really good pair of straight-leg jeans – slightly cropped, high waist, nice and flattering on the arse – these from Levi’s could be for you. There’s a slight stretch in them, and I’d say they’re true to size. If you’re under 5’8, get the 27-inch leg length. Other high street ankle-length straight-leg jeans that come approved by some of you are the Hannah from New Look and the relaxed jeans from Albaray are another favourite of mine.

H&M WIDE HIGH JEANS

I bought a pair of these last year, and for £25 they are very good indeed. The fit for me is true to size, but I often err on the side of caution with H&M so it could be worth going up a size. They fit high but not too high in the waist. I also love the Hush Lya jeans, but I know the pleats at the front aren’t for everyone. When it comes to wider jeans, I had many messages extolling the virtues of the M&S wide palazzo jeans. Personally, I find this style a bit too flappy. I like my jeans wide, but not too wide, although some of you can’t get enough of them.

RIVER ISLAND 70s STYLE POCKET FRONT JEANS

You’ve also told me that these 70s-style jeans from River Island are a winner. I will take your word for it as I have bought jeans from River Island in the past and they have always been good. It’s not a brand I always think about on the high street but they often surprise me. I have a very similar pair to these, the Emmett from Madewell that I bought in the US earlier this year. Madewell do excellent denim and they ship to the UK without import fees but, annoyingly, charge $35 for returns so that can be quite a risk.

ARKET 90S STYLE CLOUD JEANS

These jeans from Arket came up a lot with you when talking about an everyday casual, loose-fit, low-waist style. Perfect for that 90s feel. Anyone lucky enough to have scored Oasis tickets will be right at home wearing these next summer. You might have to add a bucket hat, a can of Stella and 20 Bensons to get the full retro feel, though. I only have one thing left in my wardrobe that I had when I saw Oasis play at Knebworth. Surpise surprise, it’s denim, but a jacket rather than jeans: a vintage Wrangler jacket that I bought at Camden market the week I moved to London in 1992. I can’t bear to part with it as it holds so many memories, and quite a few dubious stains now too.

MANGO TURN UP JEANS

Finally, I promised last week that I’d look for a high street version of my expensive Citizens of Humanity Ayla jeans. There were two that come up during my research. These darker ones from Mango look to have a decent turn up, and these ones from ASOS that come in 10 colours and in 3 different leg lengths.

I hope this has given you some jeans inspiration. Let me know if you end up trying any of these. Next week I think we will do a ‘back to school’ sort-of-smart-for-work special. No denim. No trainers.

K x

WearsMyMoney

I spent it all on clothes by the looks of things...